ABSTRACT
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the major causative agent of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and cancer. The aim of this study was to characterize HPV in women with premalignant lesions and cervical cancer using a PCR/RFLP method. We investigated 34 HPV positive women and with CIN of varying degrees in the period from January 2008 to December 2009. HPV 6b was the most common genotype detected in grade I lesions (CIN I), although other high-risk types such as HPV 53, 31 and 16 were also identified in CIN I. Statistically significant positive relationship was found between the histopathological grade of lesions and HPV risk type. The results reinforce the clinical relevance of HPV genotyping, allowing more accurate monitoring and treatment of patients with risk of developing cervical cancer or injury.